MSc Applied PhysicsCasey Roepke
Tell us a bit about yourself
I am currently an ORISE Science, Technology, and Policy Fellow in the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, supporting the Vehicle Technologies Office. Previously, I worked as a Science Policy Fellow at the Science and Technology Policy Institute, gaining experience providing policy research and analysis for Federal agencies and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
I am passionate about equitable, sustainable energy technology and a diverse STEM workforce. I received my bachelor's degrees in Physics and Politics from Mount Holyoke College and my master's in Applied Physics from the University of Strathclyde.
What were your reasons for taking on a postgraduate degree?
I loved my physics classes in undergrad, but my lab experience was limited to computational research due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When I graduated, I knew I wanted to eventually make the career pivot into science policy, but I also wanted more hands-on research experience. A postgraduate degree was the right choice to give me that experience while also preparing me for a career away from academia.
How did you make the decision to study at Strathclyde?
I am originally from California, but I have always been interested in living abroad and Scotland was a dream location for me! I applied to a variety of programmes across the U.K., but I was interested in the strength of Strathclyde’s physics research programme. I also had a former classmate from my undergrad attend Strathclyde who had great advice and insights for me.
What specialist knowledge/professional skills have you developed whilst studying the course?
I developed hands-on lab skills working with lasers (including constructing a laser - which was my favourite part of my research! I really enjoyed the soldering process). I also strengthened my coding skills and my scientific writing skills.
What are your ambitions for the future and how do you think your time at Strathclyde will help you achieve your goals?
I believe that science policy—especially in the environmental and renewable energy space—should be science-driven. As a physicist, I leverage my scientific knowledge and technical skills to inform policy, manage research projects at the U.S. national labs, and to communicate scientific topics to non-scientists. I hope to continue using my science background from Strathclyde to make a positive impact in science policy.
Have you enjoyed living in Glasgow and what's your favourite thing about the city?
Glasgow is an incredibly welcoming, exciting city and I loved living there. I have great memories of walking around Kelvingrove Park in autumn with all the vibrant leaves, and I also enjoyed the Necropolis on sunny days! My favourite gem in Glasgow is a bit outside the city centre in Pollok Country Park, where I would walk regularly to see the Highland cows—in the springtime, the calves were adorable!
Has anything surprised you about living/studying here?
I was so surprised by the warmth of the community across the city and found so many new friends during my year in the program. I moved to Glasgow without knowing a single person in the city, but every interaction I had with new people was positive and welcoming. On my first day of class at Strathclyde, I biked to campus and got lost on my way back to my apartment after the day was over. After wandering around for the better part of two hours, a stranger got on his bike to help me find my way home - something I will never forget.
What do you do to relax in your spare time? Are you part of any clubs with the Students' Association?
In the autumn, I rowed with the Strathclyde Boat Club - which was a tonne of fun. I really enjoyed getting to know the other members of the team, and rowing on the River Clyde was beautiful (when the sun came out). I also audited a creative writing class and joined a writing club.
Have you managed to explore anywhere outside of Glasgow?
Yes! I travelled around Scotland, including to St. Andrews, Inverness, and the Isle of Skye (which is the most beautiful place I have ever been!). I also visited England (Cumbria’s Lake District and London), Wales (Cardiff), and Northern Ireland (Belfast).
What would you say to anyone thinking of coming to study in Glasgow at Strathclyde?
Buy rain pants.
I learned some Scottish Gaelic phrases when I lived in Glasgow, and my favourite was always ceud mìle fàilte—a hundred thousand welcomes.
What are the main differences between studying in the US and in the UK?
I attended a small, liberal arts college in the U.S. for my undergraduate degree—this meant that I was able to double major in different disciplines (physics and politics) and take a variety of courses outside my focus areas. The transition from a liberal arts college to a large research university like Strathclyde was almost as big of a transition as the change from the U.S. to the U.K. education system. First of all, the grading scale is very different—a 70% is a very good grade in the U.K., but barely a pass in the U.S. I also found that Strathclyde classes are taught primarily via lecture, while I was used to attending collaborative, participatory classes in the U.S.
What was it like moving to Scotland?
It was a big change for me. Coming from California, where we were in a drought for much of my childhood, the rain took some adjusting to—although I will admit that it did not rain as often as I thought it would! My first week in Glasgow was so sunny that I got a sunburn. My Glaswegian friends had different pop culture references, and I found the sports culture very interesting (especially football, or soccer for us Americans)—football team loyalty is like religion in Scotland! I enjoyed immersing myself in new activities, like my first ceilidh: I loved the music and tried my best to learn the dances, but ended up absolutely wiping out on the ground so dramatically that the band had to stop to make sure I was okay (I was okay, just very embarrassed). The first few months were definitely a big transition, but by the end of my year in Glasgow I loved the city and the people I met throughout my time there.